More than eight centuries ago, Native Americans inhabited the area around Lake Jackson. Today the park site preserves the remains of six of the seven known earthen temple mounds.

St. Marks River was one of the earliest water routes followed by explorers along the Big Bend. It is notable for both its springs and historic sites, including the natural bridge that occurs upriver from Newport and the St. Marks Lighthouse, where the river flows into the Gulf of America.

The St. Marks River originates in the hardwood and cypress river swamps of the Red Hills area and flows for 35 miles through Florida before emptying into the Apalachee Bay.

Natural Bridge State Park is the site of Florida’s second largest Civil War battle. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and prior to its preservation Natural Bridge was cited as one of the Top 10 endangered Civil War sites by the Civil War Preservation Trust.

If you want to see wildlife, it's hard to beat the paradise of Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park and the St. Marks River. While you are visiting, enjoy a picnic lunch or paddle a canoe or kayak while listening to the calls of Northern cardinals, red-shouldered hawks, Carolina chickadees, pileated woodpeckers and bald eagles. 

Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park is the site of one of Florida’s most significant Civil War conflicts. Experience the sights and sounds of history during the first full weekend of March when thousands of visitors attend the annual Natural Bridge battle reenactment.

Where history and nature come together is what you will experience when you visit the first state rail-trail.

Escape the summer heat at De Leon Springs State Park and swim in our refreshing 72-degree spring water where depths range from 18 inches to 30 feet at the spring boil.

Restoring 7,000 acres from industrial timberland back to an ecosystem of longleaf pine and wiregrass has been an 18-year project at Torreya State Park. The restoration work is not yet complete.

Take a guided tour of the 1849 historic Gregory House at Torreya State Park and learn about life on the banks of the Apalachicola River.